Chapter 622 - Six Hundred And Twenty-two: Her Safe Haven
The third point of view:
This was a big opportunity for him, he could finally show Ailee how much he felt about her. However, Neon chickened out.
When he saw the way Ailee's eyes widened and her lips slightly trembled, he mistook that gesture as her being scared by his move. If she was this frightened of him already, what happens when he confesses his feelings?
Neon was scared that she would never talk to him. That she would reject him and their relationship won't be the same as well. So, he rather they remain this way and he gets the opportunity to see her every day as long as he wants rather than ruining it all. Losing his friendship, his brotherhood - the camouflage he used to hide his affection for her like a coward.
Ailee's heart pounded in her chest, what was going on? She had seen the look in his eyes and it scared her. Did her brother desire her? She gulped, she had never seen Neon any other way other than a brother. What was she going to do? She wasn't even ready for this.
."Ouch!" Ailee yelped in pain when Neon suddenly flicked her on the forehead. It was unexpected and hurt like shit.
"What was that for?" She couldn't believe him.
"What dirty thoughts are you having?" Neon teased her.
"D-dirty thoughts?" Ailee almost spat out blood. Wasn't he the one who had looked at her like she was the best thing he had ever seen? Perhaps, her eyes might have deceived her.
"I know I'm handsome, but keep your paws sheathed," He continued to say getting to his feet.
Ailee was aggrieved, she was being accused unfairly here. She never had any immoral thoughts about him. Well, maybe, for a second? But that was only because he looked at her that way, she almost thought he wanted to kiss her.
God, what was she thinking? Why would Neon kiss her? He's her brother and siblings don't kiss each other, right?
"I was not thinking about you?!" Ailee continued to say and didn't even know why she was explaining herself to him.
"Hmm," Neon gave her a look of unbelief.
"I'm serious,"
"If you weren't thinking about me, who were you thinking about then?" Neon asked her, delighted to see her flustered. She was flustered because of him, it was a good sign, right?
"It was Theo!"
"What?" he was startled.
"I was thinking of Theo," Ailee blurted out and she didn't even know why. But then it was better than getting misunderstood having feelings for your brother.
She couldn't even imagine such a possibility happening, what would her parents think of it? Not to talk of Allen? Not that Allen's opinion mattered in her relationship - he wasn't exactly a role model or a saint, relationship-wise. So he wasn't qualified to judge her. Again, such a thing wouldn't happen. She didn't have feelings for Neon, they were siblings - a strong relationship forged from childhood.
At the mention of Theo, Neon's expression changed at once. He wanted to be angry like before but he realized it wasn't worth it. His being mad at Ailee wouldn't stop her from dating whoever she liked, he just had to be smart this time.
Going at his affection for Ailee wouldn't work out as he would only scare her away. He was done dropping hints as well, it seems he would have to seduce her day by day. As he said, he wasn't a gentleman.
"You have a lot of guts, you know," He said, hiding the annoyance in his gaze, "Talking about another male in front of your brother," Neon decided to play her game.
Ailee rolled her eyes, "What are you going to do? Beat him up? I'm warning you, don't touch him because he'd be my first boyfriend and not even Allen would be able to stop me,"
He sneered openly, "Let's hope your planned future boyfriend," There was huge sarcastic in his voice, "has a good stamina for receiving punches then,"
Ailee was vexed, she glared at him while squaring her shoulders and standing at full height such that her gaze met Neon's even though he was a head taller than her, "Why are the both of you doing this to me?"
"Because," He said and grabbed her waist, pushing her up against her body suddenly that Ailee gasped from the unexpected onslaught, "You're important to me,"
He added immediately when he realized how ambiguous his words were, "You're important to us - all of us. And we'd do our best as your brothers to keep you safe from those ravenous wolves,"
Ailee's throat suddenly felt dried, this was the second time Neon was misleading her and she'd be a fool to fall into his trap once again. But then, Ailee couldn't help but gulp as she felt his lean body. Her mother wasn't kidding, Neon had a healthy body. How hadn't she noticed it before?
Gosh, what in the fuck are you thinking? Ailee got her head back in the game instantly. So she took a step back and thankfully Neon didn't stop her.
She said to him, "It's almost late, we should go get the kids from school," and vanished before he could pull another trick on her.
"Adorable," Neon muttered and followed after her.
In the car, Ailee chose to stay in the backseat as she couldn't understand Neon today, he was being "weird" and wanted to be on the safe side.
Moreover, the triplets loved being with Neon and would chase her off the front seat if she stayed there. In one word, she was saving herself the trouble.
Neon's eyes dimmed when he saw the place she chose to stay. He didn't even push much and she was avoiding him already. Unfortunately, he had all the time in the world to make Ailee his.
Theodore or whatever he called himself didn't know her as much as he did. He knew Ailee and every single detail about her and that was his advantage. Ailee could try and run, but at the end of the day, he would always be the one she would run back to.
He was her safe haven.